Alleged next-gen iPod touch front panel compared with iPhone 4

An LCD and digitizer alleged to be from Apple's upcoming fourth-generation iPod touch shows a display that is smaller and different in color than the iPhone 4 front panel.

The website smartphonemedic.com got their hands on a purported part from Apple's forthcoming iPod touch refresh. Like on the iPhone 4, the LCD, glass and digitizer on the part are all fused together as one solid component that cannot be disassembled.

A side-by-side comparison with the front panel for a third-generation iPod touch shows that the presumed new device is slightly longer and slimmer than its predecessor. Laid next to the iPhone 4 front panel, the supposed iPod touch component is slightly smaller.

The site also noted that the LCD panel on the iPhone 4 is darker than the display found on the alleged fourth-generation iPod touch front panel. It said the fourth-generation screen has a "red or grayish tint to it."

The site also noted that the connections included on the LCD and digitizer are "a little different" than found on the iPhone 4. The purported iPod touch panel is also missing brackets found on the side of the iPhone 4 assembly.

As with numerous previous leaked parts (1, 2), the front panel includes a space likely to be used for a forward-facing camera. This would mean that the next-generation iPod touch will allow FaceTime video chat over Wi-Fi.

"Like on the iPhone 4, the LCD, glass and digitizer on the part are all fused together as one solid component that cannot be disassembled."

So if the screen gets shattered, there goes Benjamin.

Yep ... I broke my scree on Monday, just a small drop . I guess I just happen to hit the right spot, luckily its still under warranty and got it replaced at the apple store for free . Now i will have to carry this beauty in a ugly cover .

The iPod touch touchscreens have always been the same size as the iPhone part.

Highly unlikely that they would pick different parts. After all, much of the cost reduction for both units comes because they share parts in volume. The touchscreen panel is the priciest part of the device, making separate parts even less likely if Apple is trying to hold down COGS.

Just speculation from my part, but maybe they want to sell iPod touch with a smaller price, hence they'll use a standar LCD screen (i.e. not Retina Display). Besides, iPod touch is sold in great quantities, they may have already get a price reduction from that.

Quote:

Originally Posted by cvaldes1831

I think AI got played.

The iPod touch touchscreens have always been the same size as the iPhone part.

Highly unlikely that they would pick different parts. After all, much of the cost reduction for both units comes because they share parts in volume. The touchscreen panel is the priciest part of the device, making separate parts even less likely if Apple is trying to hold down COGS.

The iPod touch touchscreens have always been the same size as the iPhone part.

Highly unlikely that they would pick different parts. After all, much of the cost reduction for both units comes because they share parts in volume. The touchscreen panel is the priciest part of the device, making separate parts even less likely if Apple is trying to hold down COGS.

Arse - you are talking out of it.

The iPod and iPhone screens may have been the same size, but they weren't the same part.

Just speculation from my part, but maybe they want to sell iPod touch with a smaller price, hence they'll use a standar LCD screen (i.e. not Retina Display). Besides, iPod touch is sold in great quantities, they may have already get a price reduction from that.

That would be a change from their standard procedure of having the same display in the iPod touch as the iPhone.

Apple sells two iPod touches for every three iPhones. If they had been so focused on cutting costs, they would have used a low-spec'ed part from the onset, but it appears that Apple does not want to do that.

The iPod touch always has the same CPU, memory, GPU, and display as the iPhone from the same release cycle.

That would be a change from their standard procedure of having the same display in the iPod touch as the iPhone.

Apple sells two iPod touches for every three iPhones. If they had been so focused on cutting costs, they would have used a low-spec'ed part from the onset, but it appears that Apple does not want to do that.

The iPod touch always has the same CPU, memory, GPU, and display as the iPhone from the same release cycle.

Except that Apple has a policy of using a previous generation iPhone/touch as their entry level unit. With the iPhone 3GS still in volume production for the next year it wouldn't be at all surprising for entry level touches to continue with the 2nd generation look and components. The production volume of older units is high enough for Apple to get maximum discounts. It's likely the high end touch will have a new look and new capabilities including the retina display.

It's likely the high end touch will have a new look and new capabilities including the retina display.

Well, that's my point.

Whatever CPU/memory/GPU/display is in the iPhone 4 will probably be in the iPod touch 4 because that's what they have done the previous three times. They'll keep producing a low-capacity version of the 3rd generation iPod touch as the entry level device.

Except that Apple has a policy of using a previous generation iPhone/touch as their entry level unit. With the iPhone 3GS still in volume production for the next year it wouldn't be at all surprising for entry level touches to continue with the 2nd generation look and components. The production volume of older units is high enough for Apple to get maximum discounts. It's likely the high end touch will have a new look and new capabilities including the retina display.

Makes sense...
They have to do something to save money on the touch. the selling price is so much lower than what they get for an iPhone. the price difference seems substantially greater than the obvious hardware differences. (cellular radio, gps, camera...)

Yep ... I broke my scree on Monday, just a small drop . I guess I just happen to hit the right spot, luckily its still under warranty and got it replaced at the apple store for free . Now i will have to carry this beauty in a ugly cover .

Did they replace the screen only, or give you a new i4? If it was a new phone, was the antenna a different color than the old one (a la a recent comment that they may be coating the antenna now on new ones)?

Makes sense...
They have to do something to save money on the touch. the selling price is so much lower than what they get for an iPhone. the price difference seems substantially greater than the obvious hardware differences. (cellular radio, gps, camera...)

The iPhone has a much higher gross margin than the iPod touch. As a matter of fact, the iPhone has a higher GM than every other Apple product line. It's their cash cow.

Still waiting to see the rest of the case. If they made the display thinner, I'm guessing that the whole iPod is gonna get slimmed down as well. If that is the case I am willing to bet it would be squarish like the iPhone, because they would need that extra space to stick camera (s) into. Very excited for this september.

Still waiting to see the rest of the case. If they made the display thinner, I'm guessing that the whole iPod is gonna get slimmed down as well. If that is the case I am willing to bet it would be squarish like the iPhone, because they would need that extra space to stick camera (s) into.

I'm not convinced that it would be best for Apple to slim down the iPod touch anymore. The third generation iPod touch is 0.8 millimeter slimmer than the iPhone 4. It might be cheaper for them to manufacture with the same dimensions, and give the iPod touch 4 some extra battery power.

The size of the display is similar to the the iPhone 4, just look at the back of both parts. iP4 screen part is thicker, it seems. The glass or framework is smaller on this new iPod touch part. Can anybody elaborate why the reddish tone for this display?

I just have this idea that Apple wants to shrink the size of the Touch either as an additional model or as a replacement for the current model. Currently volumes are so high that there is very little economic advantage to using the same hardware on the Touch and iPhone. In fact Touch would be at a disadvantage if it went the all glass route.

Besides they need room for a mid range iPod/iPad Touch like device. Even if such a device doesn't debut next month they still need to prep for it.

I'm not convinced that it would be best for Apple to slim down the iPod touch anymore. The third generation iPod touch is 0.8 millimeter slimmer than the iPhone 4. It might be cheaper for them to manufacture with the same dimensions, and give the iPod touch 4 some extra battery power.

But didn't the article say that the new display is LONGER then current dimentions. So it couldn't be the same dimensions. If is longer, it might be to stick more stuff in, and if you wanna stick more stuff in, why not make it square like the iPhone?

I just have this idea that Apple wants to shrink the size of the Touch either as an additional model or as a replacement for the current model. Currently volumes are so high that there is very little economic advantage to using the same hardware on the Touch and iPhone. In fact Touch would be at a disadvantage if it went the all glass route.

Besides they need room for a mid range iPod/iPad Touch like device. Even if such a device doesn't debut next month they still need to prep for it.

Dave

Instead, I see Apple making the Nano larger with a touchscreen though not as large as the current Touch. Then come out with a Touch that is somewhat larger than the current model, something like 4.5" and you've got a good device to take on e-readers and any other devices that are smaller than the current iPad.

Really, there is a place in Apple's line-up for a device that is small enough to fit in an adult's pocket yet be large enough to serve as a handy computer for browsing, reading, media consumption, etc.

What is needed, though, is a device that would serve the youth market, hence take the Nano up a notch to fill that niche.

What doesn't make sense is something like a 7" iPad. Too large to fit in anyone's pocket but too small to provide a truly immersive browsing experience. The only downside with the current iPad is that it's a little heavy for a handheld device but I'm sure that each generation will take a little of that weight off.

It would certainly not come as a surprise if Apple on Sept. 1 introduced a larger touchscreen Nano and a larger Touch. To me that's the next logical move for the iPod family.

I am curious, if there is a front camera, then there must be a MIC, otherwise what for the camera? Facetime with word type? Oh me, oh my. So if there is MIC on it, then it will be nice, cause you can just buy some gear from China (the shell for the mobile signal) , then you will got mobile network for your ipod, so the new cheap version iphone?